Lead with ergonomic handgrip

ABSTRACT

A lead ( 10 ) with ergonomic handgrip comprises a casting ( 11 ) containing a winding device for a cord or strap ( 12 ), a handgrip ( 14 ), as well as devices for the temporary blocking and rapid rewinding of said cord or strap ( 12 ); said handgrip ( 14 ) projects from the casing presenting an access space ( 14   a ) for the easy insertion of the user&#39;s fingers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns a lead with ergonomic handgrip for walking pets.

More in particular, this invention refers to a jerk-resistant lead withautomatic winder for walking pets such as, for example, dogs of varioussizes, and which has a structure that allows it to be easily gripped andblocked immediately and reliably in any circumstance.

BACKGROUND ART

It is a known fact that pets that have to be walked are usuallyaccompanied using leads with a cord or strap which is variable in lengthsince it can be wound inside a winding device gripped by the user. Inthis way the animal is free to move a certain distance away from theperson accompanying it who thus avoids being subject to sudden jerks.

One drawback is represented by the fact that the handgrip of the lead isnot always easy to grip, sometimes giving the user a sensation ofprecariousness and insecurity.

Another drawback is represented by the fact that when walking in publicplaces, current regulations foresee that a maximum distance of theanimal from the person accompanying it must be respected for obviousreasons of safety and thus, in this case, it is obligatory to use afixed-length lead or one which can be blocked at predetermined lengthensuring secure gripping of the lead by the person accompanying theanimal.

Document DE-U-8527780 describes a lead comprising an opening systemplaced directly in the handgrip and based on a spring connected to anindependent part of the handgrip.

Said opening system positioned on the handgrip allows the fastening andthe block of the lead to several fixed elements. The opening systemaccording to DE-U-8527780 determines a dangerous weakness in thestructure of the handgrip particularly with torsion or transversalforces. This is a major drawback since it can cause a loss of the gripor even injuries on the hand if a finger or part of the hand skin issqueezed between the components of the handgrip or the spring directlyconnected.

Document DE-A-20003740 describes a lead comprising a winding device forcord or strap characterized in that a buffering element is presentbetween the lead case and the cap positioned on the cord.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,472 describes a retractable leash thatincludes an integral light.

Document DE-U-8621465 describes a lead comprising a storage space forhygienic bags. In FIGS. 1 and 2 of said document a particular form ofembodiment is represented that comprises a lead case with a hollowhandgrip to host a roll of hygienic bags.

Document CH-A-536064 describes a lead wherein the length can beregulated and allows the animal to move with a certain freedom withrespect to the person holding said lead.

According to CH-A-536064 the cord of leash is hosted inside the handgripand rolled around a drum that works under the effect of a spring, thelength of the cord is regulated by means of fastening device acting onthe cord.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this invention is to provide a lead with ergonomic handgripwhich can be easily and immediately blocked.

This invention also proposes to provide a lead which can easily beattached to any fixed structure in order to allow temporary parking ofthe animal attached to it.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a lead which has a cord thatcan absorb any jerks caused by abrupt accelerations of decelerations ofthe animal.

The last but not least aim of this invention is to provide a lead withergonomic handgrip with a limited production cost so as to beadvantageous from a financial point of view.

This is achieved by means of a lead with ergonomic handgrip with thefeatures described in the main claim.

The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The lead according to this invention comprises a casing for a windingdevice of a cord or strap, devices for the temporary blocking and therapid rewinding of the cord, and is characterised by a handgrip which isintegral with and protrudes from the casing, said handgrip presenting anopen space for the easy insertion of the user's fingers.

According to this invention the access space can be closed by means of aretainer that connects the handgrip to the casing.

The access space makes the handgrip quick and easy to grip by the usereven when wearing gloves.

The retainer guarantees temporary fixing of the lead to any structure inorder to park the animal during the absence of the person accompanyingit.

The retainer may consist of a strap which can be folded away for fixingby means of velcro or by any appropriate removable fixing means.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become evident onreading the following description of one embodiment of the invention,given as non-binding example, with the help of the enclosed drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a lead with ergonomic handgrip accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of a lead with the cord partiallyunwound; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the structure of an embodimentof the lead.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE FORM OF EMBODIMENT

A lead (10) with ergonomic handgrip, is described, that comprises acasing (11) containing a winding device for a cord or strap (12), ahandgrip (14), devices for the temporary blocking and rapid rewinding ofsaid cord or strap (12), where said handgrip (14) projects from thecasing comprising an access space (14 a) for the easy insertion of theuser's fingers whereat it further comprises a retainer (27) connectingone end of said handgrip (14) to said casing (11) said retainer allowingthe closure of the access space in an adjustable way.

In the figures, the reference number 10 generally indicates a lead withergonomic handgrip, in the case in question a lead 10, which comprises acasing 11 containing an automatic winding device to wind a cord or strap12 equipped at its free end with a spring catch 13 (FIG. 2) which can befixed to the animal's collar.

According to this invention, the casing 11 is integral with a handgrip14 protruding from said casing 11 in such a way as to leave an openspace 14 a for the easy insertion of the user's fingers.

As can be seen from the figures, the casing 11, integral with thehandgrip 14, consists of two half casings, preferably made from mouldedshockproof rigid plastic material, fixed together, for example, by meansof transverse screws 17 positioned around the perimeter of the casing11.

According to another embodiment (schematically represented in FIG. 3)the handgrip is separate from the casing to which it is attached bymeans of an articulated joint, which may also be equipped with a hingeand preferably additionally with a return spring to absorb any shocks orjerks.

The outer configuration of the casing 11 presents extensively convexareas in order to avoid the presence of sharp corners which arepotentially dangerous both for the animal and the person accompanyingit.

The reciprocally adjacent surfaces of the casing 11 and the handgrip 14present a sequence of curves 20 and 21, whereby the curves 21 of thehandgrip 14 are ergonomically designed to ensure secure gripping by theuser.

On one side, in correspondence with the section connecting the casing 11and the handgrip 14, the lead is equipped with at least one brakepushbutton 23 designed to block the cord 12 at a certain length and alsoto release it.

The cord 12 comes in and out of the casing 11 through a hole 24 in theside opposite to the handgrip 14.

With reference to FIG. 2, it can be noted that the projecting end 25 ofthe handgrip 14 can be connected to the corresponding projection 26 ofthe casing 11 by means of a strap 27.

The latter can be temporarily fixed to the lead 10, constituting ablocking means for parking the animal during the temporary absence ofthe person accompanying it.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the strap 27 can bethreaded through a ring attached to the projection 26 so that its freeend faces the exterior of the lead 10.

This free end can thus be attached to the central part of the strap 27for example by means of a VELCRO® hook and loop fastener.

According to a variation, the strap 27 can be made from fabric with ahigh degree of elasticity so that it adapts to the size of the user'shands and/or fingers.

In this case, the strap 27 is fixed to the end 25 of the handgrip 24(for example by means of a fixed joint) and attached to the projection26 of the casing 11 by means of a bayonet connection inserted in ahousing in the projection 26.

According to another variation, the strap 27, again a means ofdetachable fixing to the casing 11, presents a snap coupling whichattaches it to the end 25 of the handgrip 14.

With reference to FIG. 2 it can be seen that the section of the cord 12near the spring clip 13 presents a series of rigid elements 32alternated with a series of elastic elements 33 designed to act as ashock absorber for any jerks caused by abrupt accelerations ordecelerations of the animal.

According to other embodiments, the cord 12 is in any case equipped withat least one elastic element that can absorb the pressure caused bysudden pulling by the animal.

It can be seen that a lead 10 according to this invention is able tofulfil all the pre-set aims; in particular thanks to the presence of theaccess area 14 a it ensures rapid and secure gripping of the handgrip bythe user.

The strap 27 makes it possible to temporarily attach the lead 10 to anyfixed structure in order to park the animal.

Furthermore, the shock absorber consisting of an elastic elementintegral with the cord spares the user from undergoing jerks whilewalking the animal.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of anembodiment of the lead, where the lead comprises a casing a handgrip, aring, and a strap. The handgrip is connected to the casing by means ofan articulated joint equipped with a hinge. Preferably, the articulatedjoint is also equipped with a return spring designed to act as a shockabsorber for any jerks caused by the animal.

The invention described above refers to a preferential embodiment of thesame.

The invention is nevertheless susceptible to numerous variations allcovered by its aims, within the framework of mechanical equivalents.

By way of example, according to another embodiment not shown in thefigures, the handgrip of the lead according to this invention is open atthe top rather than the bottom as in the embodiment described here inmore detail.

1. A lead comprising: a casing containing a winding device for a cord ora first strap; a single piece handgrip projecting from one side of thecasing, said handgrip having a proximate end connected to said casingand a distal projecting end, wherein an access space for a user'sfingers is provided between said distal projecting end and said casing;devices for a temporary blocking and a rapid rewinding of said cord orfirst strap; and a retainer connecting said distal projecting end ofsaid handgrip to said casing, said retainer allowing closure of theaccess space in an adjustable way, thus allowing a plurality of closedconditions of the access space to be obtained.
 2. The lead according toclaim 1, wherein said retainer includes a second strap.
 3. The leadaccording to claim 2, wherein said second strap is made from non-rigidfabric.
 4. The lead according to claim 2, wherein said lead comprises aring designed for passage of said second strap, so that said secondstrap can be folded back on itself.
 5. The lead according to claim 2,wherein said strap comprises a VELCRO® hook and loop fastener.
 6. Thelead according to claim 2, wherein said second strap is made fromelastic fabric.
 7. The lead according to claim 2, wherein said secondstrap comprises at least one coupling for attachment to said lead. 8.The lead according to claim 2, wherein said second strap comprises atleast one bayonet coupling for attachment to said lead.
 9. The leadaccording to claim 6, wherein said second strap comprises at least oneattachment to said lead consisting of a snap coupling.
 10. The leadaccording to claim 1, wherein said cord comprises at least one elasticelement designed to act as a shock absorber.
 11. The lead according toclaim 10, wherein said shock absorber consists of a series of rigidelements alternating with elastic elements.
 12. The lead according toclaim 1, wherein said handgrip is connected to the casing by means of anarticulated joint equipped with a hinge.
 13. The lead according to claim12, wherein said articulated joint is equipped with a return springdesigned to act as a shock absorber for any jerks caused by an animal.14. The lead according to claim 3, wherein said lead comprises a ringdesigned for passage of said second strap so that said second strap canbe folded back on itself.
 15. The lead according to claim 3, whereinsaid second strap comprises a VELCRO® hook and loop fastener.
 16. Thelead according to claim 4, wherein said second strap comprises a VELCRO®hook and loop fastener.
 17. The lead according to claim 7, wherein saidsecond strap comprises at least one attachment to said lead consistingof a snap coupling.
 18. The lead according to claim 8, wherein saidsecond strap comprises at least one attachment to said lead consistingof a snap coupling.
 19. A lead comprising: an ergonomic handgrip; acasing containing a winding device for a cord or strap wherein a firstend of the handgrip is connected with the casing and an access regionfor fingers of a user comprises an access portion provided between asecond end of the handgrip and the casing; and a retainer having aretainer first portion connected with either the casing or the handgrip,and a retainer second portion, the retainer second portion either beingconnected to the other of the casing and the handgrip, thus closing theaccess portion, or disconnected from the other of the casing and thehandgrip, thus allowing the access portion to remain open, whereinconnection between the retainer second portion and the other of thecasing and the handgrip is an adjustable connection.
 20. The lead ofclaim 19, further comprising an arrangement for the temporary blockingand rapid rewinding of the cord or strap.
 21. The lead of claim 19,wherein the handgrip is a single piece handgrip.
 22. A lead comprising:an ergonomic handgrip; a casing containing a winding device for a cordor strap, wherein a first end of the handgrip is connected with thecasing and an access region for fingers of a user comprises an accessportion provided between a second end of the handgrip and the casing;and a retainer for adjustably closing the access portion, thus providinga plurality of different connecting conditions between the casing andthe handgrip, each connecting condition corresponding to a closedcondition of the access portion.
 23. The lead of claim 22, wherein thehandgrip is a single piece handgrip.